God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). I was told by a member of another religion that this was possible because "those whom He foreknew" (Ro 8:29) existed as spirit babies when God created everything in the beginning. Can you build an entire doctrine based on presumption regarding detail that isn't even spelled out in scripture? The meaning of scripture must not be ambiguous, and relevant scriptures must reinforce each other and not be just selectively applied. To "foreknow" is the Greek word proginosko meaning to know beforehand ahead of time or to foreordain. A sense of time is involved which means the rules aren't changed just because God lives in eternity and can define things any way he wants. "He chose us in Him" (Eph 1:4). To choose is the Greek word eklegomai meaning to choose, pick or select designating that there is a definite choice made. In the Old Testament God said it was "'Israel, whom I have chosen'" (Isa 44:1). Being chosen is described by the Hebrew word bahar meaning to choose or select based upon a certain desire or preference to appoint to a position. He chose Jacob over Esau "so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand" (Ro 9:11). That choice is described by the Greek word ekloge meaning that a selection or election has taken place. It is predicated on "God's purpose" (:11). God "knows all things" (1Jn 3:20) and "His understanding is infinite" (Ps 147:5). He points out, "'I am the first and I am the last'" (Isa 44:6) and "'I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning'" (46:9-10). God chose Israel when "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness" (Gal 3:6). Consequently the selection of Jacob was "not because of works but because of Him who calls" (Ro 9:11). Calling is expressed by the Greek word kaleo meaning to call, invite or summon. God did not rig the process to accept only those who he knew would agree to his plan. "These whom He predestined, He also called" (8:30) which is an invitation whereby "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent" (Ac 17:30). It was based upon "the grace of God [that] He might taste death for everyone" (Heb 2:9). This is accomplished "In Him" (Eph 1:13).
You respond to the call "after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation" (:13). "He predestined, He also called" (Ro 8:30). To predestine is expressed by the Greek word proorizo meaning to decide beforehand.. That predestination occurs before the calling which demonstrates it is "in Him" (Eph 1:13). The key is that "having also believed you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise" (:13). We are "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanactifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled by His blood" (1Pe 1:1-2). "We have obtained an inheritanace, having been predestined according to His purpose who works out all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11). "He predestinated us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" (:5). "He also predestinated to become conformed to the image of His Son" (Ro 8:29). "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Ac 13:48). To appoint is the Greek word tasso which is to determine, establish or assign. Peter therefore warns, "Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and chosing you; for as long as you practice these things you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you" (1Pe 1:10-11).